Helicopter-noise regs pass, but specific solutions still up in the air: Opinion

The passage of federal regulations to reduce helicopter noise in Los Angeles County is a big victory for residents and public officials here whose requests for help on the issue have produced years of frustration.

The specific solutions still need to be worked out — but that’s probably not the impossible task the Federal Aviation Administration has made it sound like.

Read more about the details in our Dana Bartholomew’s story earlier this week, when the helicopter-noise relief provisions were poised for passage in the U.S. Senate and House as part of the 2014 federal spending bill. Read this reaction to the House vote from Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, who led the fight along with other Southern California members of Congress. And read our most recent editorial on the matter, which called for the public to put pressure on Congress to get something done.

Finally, these efforts are paying off. But it will take more work by local and federal officials, as well as by helicopter operators, to reduce unnecessary helicopter noise that disrupts sleep, work, conversation, recreation and outdoor events.